What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDimethiconol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientPullulan
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Glycine
CleansingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientLecithin
EmollientMadecassoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate-13, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyisobutene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethiconol, Squalane, Pullulan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Glycine, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Lecithin, Madecassoside, Citric Acid, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethyl Hydrogenated Rosinate
PerfumingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Germ Extract
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientUbiquinone
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Polyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, Madecassoside, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Yeast Extract, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ubiquinone, Ceramide NP, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyisobutene, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, is a popular peptide in skincare. It’s often referred to as a “Botox-like” ingredient because it helps reduce muscle movement.
By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That said, it’s not as powerful as Botox, and research on its long-term effectiveness is still limited.
Beyond smoothing, Argireline may also support collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin firm, bouncy, and well-hydrated by strengthening the skin barrier.
So while Argireline isn’t a miracle fix, it can be a helpful addition to a routine focused on both prevention and skin health.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMadecassoside is one of four active compounds found in Centella asiatica and is one of the main reasons Centella is so effective at calming irritated skin and supporting the moisture barrier.
There's a solid body of peer-reviewed research backing Madecassoside for several skin benefits. Studies have found:
Madecassoside pairs well with other hydrating or antioxidant ingredients like Ascorbic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid.
Learn more about MadecassosideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPolyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.
Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.
Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers
Learn more about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.
It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.
Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.
Learn more about PolyisobutenePolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water